Elsie Dinsmore

A horrifying book. I read and enjoyed it as a child, I re-read it as an adult and was really and truly stunned. It has everything, backing down to abusers, absent and then hyper controlling parents, racism, a child clinging to literally the only kind adult they had ever met and the old south!

Admittedly, these stories did significantly improve my grammar. But please. I beg you. DO NOT LET A YOUNG IMPRESSIONABLE CHILD READ THESE.

Referenced in 'Jo of the Chalet School', this is the first of the much maligned 'Elsie' books. It features the rather too-good-to-be-true Elsie, who is brought up with her aunts and uncles of similar age until her father Horace returns to the family home. She is regularly bullied by her young uncle, picked upon by their governess, and then finds that her father is very strict and apparently cold to her. She longs for love, finding it in her maid 'Mammy', who has brought her up as a devout Christian. There is rather too much preaching for my tastes; I can't imagine how this would appeal to today's children, and can understand why the book have been parodied. Nobody could be quite so humble and pious at the age of eight; Elsie's worst show more fault appears to be her tendency to dissolve into tears at little provocation. And yet, somehow, it made compulsive reading. So much so that I've downloaded some of the sequels which are also available free for the Kindle. show less

When I was little, my Mum gave me a copy of this books that she inherited from her older cousin. I read it over and over, and wished my Daddy go away and then return, so I could earn his love. (Amusingly, my Mom also confessed to this fantasy during her childhood reading.)

As a smart-alec child in Catholic school, I was well convinced of my ability to out argue anyone on matters of doctrine, so Elsie's religious tribulations didn't have much of an impact.

Rereading this as a grownup and an agnostic, I really, really struggled to find only of my chilhood joy in the story - instead it struck me as terribly morbid and negative.

As an adult, I still enjoy many other classic novels with overtly religious sentiments, for example, those by L.M. show more Alcott's or G. S. Porter. But this novel has no joy or peace in it. show less

The first book in the series I tried to find out what this was actually all about. I'm usually very generous with books written such a long time ago, because life and views and experiences and beliefs were very different from what they are now. However, I couldn't believe that a little girl should be like Elsie.

I read the following two volumes, and I felt more and more uneasy: this seems to me not a normal parent-child relation, it definitely stinks of a pedophile father and his dependent victim. Although I'm sure that this thought never crossed the author's mind, it is just too exaggerated. All those father-daughter contacts are quite excessive and don't ring true to me. Still, it was so strange that I read two more sequels, so for show more that it deserves two stars. show less

Looking back on this book I'm rather surprised that it had such an emotional effect on me. I remember that this was the first time that I had ever cried while reading a book. Now it seems a bit overdone and dramatic but as an eight year old reading it for the first time it struck a definitive chord in me. Overdone sentiments notwithstanding I think the strength of the book lies in the strength of its main character. I had to laugh at one reviewers take on Elsie Dinsmore. Yes, she's entirely too perfect and possessing characteristics more akin to Mother Teresa than a normal little girl but most children who took the time to read this book probably didn't even notice, much like I didn't. Adults on the other hand are a totally different show more story. I think this book is definitely typical of its time. Maybe not as effective today as it was in years past. show less

I can imagine being a little put off reading this book at my current age, but you can't be too harsh on it. I read it over and over and over again growing up and loved it each time! My grandmother, who i loved, gave it to me and we would read it together then talk on the phone about how much weloved the stories in it.
The sincerity and honesty of Elsie was something I grew to admire and covet; I wished for her conscience and sweetness. I always loved reading about how sweet she almost always was and I think in this way the book is perfectly written. The characters were never too far from reality; I always believed Elsie was a real,honest and kind person and I always held out hope for her father to come around. I guess i appreciate that show more about the book. There are no villains like in Jayne Eyre (or so many other stories with so similar plot).
The intent of children's books, I believe, is to provide a moral and give a reason to pursue strong character.
I understand being harsh in judgment of the book and its too sweet tempo, but if you have children (especially shy little girls with fantastical imagination) please do pick her up a copy! show less

If you cry easily, have some tissues set aside while you are reading this book. If you are the kind of reader that feels every emotion as the characters in the books, be prepared. I still own my copy from when I was in middle school school. Being in 6th grade reading this book, I was definitely a mess. This book is about a young girl named Elsie Dinsmore who tries to win the heart of her cruel father. Blaming Elsie for his wife’s death, he has finally agreed to meet her 8 years later. Throughout the book, Elsie tries to keep a loving outlook toward her father. There is even a part in the book where Elsie was forced to sit in another at the piano keyboard while her family ate their dinner. Elsie soon passes out due to hunger and her show more family said she wanted “attention.” It’s very sad but I promise the ending is worth it. show less